Loveable pets, twisted peppermints, and snowflakes...

WOW--- I am totally still alive. I promise. Sorry for not blogging in FOREVER but I have had my reasons. The past 2 weeks have been one hectic roller coaster. Maybe the craziest. It's been up and down up and down up and down and up again with emotions.

Sunday, October 12th was just another ordinary day... I woke up, took care of Parker (our golden retriever who is more like a brother than a dog), got ready for church, went to church, ate some food, took a small nap, went to practice for Tribulation House, went to pick my parents up from the airport. When we got home, we couldn't wait to see Parker. He always get sooo excited when my dad comes home from anywhere... especially a few day trip. We opened the door and said "Parker!! Daddy's home!!!!!".. at this point he usually jumps up, runs to the door, and bombards my dad with barks and happiness. Well, this time was different. He just sat there... it took everything in him to get up off the floor... but even still he wasn't barking or moving and jumping on my dad. We thought it was strange so we tried to give him one of his favorite foods.. pizza. He wouldn't even look at it. My dad decided to take him outside and as soon as he did, Parker just laid down. He NEVER does that. So, we knew something was terribly wrong but didn't know what. We took him to a 24-hour vet thinking he needed a shot or some minor thing down to make him better.... we left that night without him. Sitting in the waiting room was torturous. I tried to tell myself he would be fine and we'd just take him home in a little. I KNEW he was ok... I KNEW he was going home with us. The vet called my parents to a back room and told them the news. They came out of the room and I quickly asked what she said. My dad had tears in his eyes and my mom was sobbing.. She began to tell me that he had a tumor on his spleen that had ruptured and his entire belly was full of blood... this is what caused his labored breathing. I was shocked, but even still... I thought he would just need a little surgery and it would be better. I was very very wrong. They began to tell me that the vet said she could do surgery (would cost $2,000) and he would be ok for a little but the cancer was so aggressive that it would come right back... surgery wasn't very smart either because he was 8 years old and its hard on older dogs. My dad selfishly could have kept him alive but he knew Parker would only be suffering and we would only be prolonging his illness. He decided to put him to sleep. I cant explain my emotions. I sat there stunned thinking there was some way to stop all of this nonsense... and then it hit me, I was leaving without him. I began to cry like a little baby. My dad asked if I wanted to be there when they put him to sleep (my dad and I were the closest to him) but I couldn't bare it. I didn't want my last memory to be of him dead... but I knew I had to hug him one last time, tell him I love him one last time..I had to kiss his face like I always did. I went into the tiny little room where they were going to put him to sleep and I sat there crying. When they brought him in.. he came in wagging his tale and came right up to me. Its as if he knew what was about to happen. He sat on the floor and I immediately got down there with him. I just laid my face in him and weeped. I've seriously never cried that hard in my life. I couldn't let go. I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave the vet without my best friend. I thought maybe it was all a horrible nightmare and I'd soon wake up. Then I felt tears dripping onto the top of my head.. they were my dads. He was on one knee trying to fight his tears.. he just couldn't do it. He said "come on baby, it's time...". Leaving my best friend there was hard enough but to have my dad crying was just as bad. I knew what hurt and pain he was feeling. Parker WAS his absolute best friend. They did everything together. The bond they had was so strong, more like father and son. I kissed Parker one last time and squeezed his neck... then I ran out of the building to the outside and sat on the curb... gasping for air... the pain I felt was unbearable... how could everything be ok one minute and then the next minute be completely the opposite?? Why did it have to happen so soon and out of the blue?! Ryan came out to comfort me.. he held me tight and wiped my tears. My dad stayed with Parker until he took his last breath. He sat on the floor with Parkers front paws straddling him and he held his face and petted him the entire time. He said Parker stared right into his eyes the whole time, never looking away. He knew. Parker knew it was his time. The vet injected the stuff into his leg and 30 seconds later he took his last breath.. staring into my dads eyes. My dad reached up and shut his eyes. That was it. He was gone. How could this happen?! The ride home that night was horrible.... when we got to the house we all broke down. EVERYTHING reminded us of Parker. I cried myself to sleep for about a week. My dad walked around like a lost puppy... it was truly a grieving process. When I would come home from somewhere I would look in the front window bcuz I was so used to Parker being there waiting and then I'd realize that he was gone and I'd cry all over again. He was the greatest dog. So loyal, fun, amazing... our best friend. We will forever miss him.

On Thursday the 16th I surprisingly got to buy a baby kitty!!!! I was soooooooooo happy!! She is the cutest. Her name is Ruby!

Last night, we got a new baby golden retriever puppy-- his name is Tucker!!! He is from the same bloodline and breeder as Parker. That means they are related and he is sooooooo cute! My dad is finally getting himself back to normal and I'm trusting God to give him and Tucker the same bond (if not better) that him and Parker had!

I busted out my Twisted Peppermint body spray from Bath & Body Works! It smells SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. I bought it last year because it looks like it actually has peppermints in it.. and it does have glitter so it looks pretty! :) haha but this year, they didnt make it like that... so if you go buy it... don't be disappointed and don't judge it by its cover! hahah it still smells AMAZING. Oh and the lotion is superb!

It snowed this morning! Can you believe it?! It's October 28th and it snowed! It was gorgeous and put me in the mood for Christmas music. I satisfied my craving by listening to "Baby it's cold outside". But, soon, I will definitely be listening to full blown Christmas music. I'm an addict (to Christmas Music)! haha :)

Anyways, Just wanted you to know that I am back and happy once again!

I leave you with this thought.... "Start small, or you won't start at all!"

What in the world??

This was a bulletin post by one of my myspace friends... please read...

"I'm not sure if anyone else was listening to Q107.5 this morning when Laddy was out by the U of M asking students who they were going to vote for in the upcoming election..I turned the radio on in just in time to hear him ask one girl the same question, "Who are you going to vote for?" The girl stated, "Obaaaama."..Laddy responded with, " That's cool, how do you feel about the fact that he has the first female running mate?" She replied, " I think it's awesome." Next question, "Do you think that it's incredibly respectable that your candidate was a P.O.W?" She replied, " I think it's amazing...really great"....The last question really got her. He asked her how she felt about her candidate being a die-hard Republican. The girl seemed stumped, and stated " Obama's not a republican."..... This only goes to show you that there are tons of people out there who are gonna vote on a candidate that they know nothing about...and that's scary....The conversation that I heard this morning was not only shocking, but sort of annoying, right??? If you're gonna vote...please know the facts about who you're voting for and the things that they stand for... Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama: For the girl on the radio and probably many others. He voted for partial birth abortion. He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government (quotas). In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing as being too severe. Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wage affair. He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Has said that one of his first goals after being elected would be to have a conference with all Muslim nations. Opposed the Patriot Act. First bill he signed that was ever passed was campaign finance reform. Voted to allow law suits against gun manufacturers. Supports universal health-care. Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guatanamo detainees. Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants. Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform. Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. Wants to make the minimum wage a 'living wage'. Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes. (241 votes Demo, 10 votes Republican) Is a big believer in the separation of church and state. Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid into Soc. Sec. Tax Increase. He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax which now hits middle income brackets. Tax Increase. He voted No on repealing the 'Death' Tax. He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax. Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded. He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate today."

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Ok---- MY TURN--- Who wants to vote someone in as President who will go against all that our forefathers have fought for?! All that America has stood on for centuries? He has said we are not a Christian nation, he has said (accidentally) that he is Muslim, he wants to hold conferences with all Muslim nations?! AHHHHHHHHHHH COME ON. I would say that 99 percent of people voting for Obama have NO idea what he lives for, what his intentions are, and what he will REALLY do to this nation. If you are going to vote for him, please study up first!

This is the Land of the Free--- I intend to vote for someone that will KEEP it the Land of the Free--- not someone who promises CHANGE... making it sound good... when really... he is just using "hopenosis" on a tired, wore out, country to win their votes! He cannot and will not save this country...... in the words of Amber Collins... THERE IS NO OBAMESSIAH. It's a mask.

I am not condemning Barack, that is for sure... I pray for him daily... BUT, I am not going to sit back and let people BLINDLY follow someone who is leading them on a road to disaster.

He needs prayer, please pray that God would capture his heart and turn it towards him!

Rearranging, Relaxing, Raging

Ok so I neeeevvvveerrr have time to do this on Tuesday because work is so crazy!

This weekend went by WAY TOO FAST! I didn't really do much of anything...Although, I did rearrange my room and hang some stuff up on the wall. It looks AMAZING :) I like it alot better now.

I made Amber's Twice Baked Potatoes... amazing. Mmmmm I can almost taste them now. Super good recipe.. although my microwave is older than me and didn't really cook the potatoes all the way through. Nonetheless, they were amazing!

TODAY HAS BEEN INSANE. Nonstop. I guess Tuesday's are so crazy because we aren't in the office on Mondays. I can't even think straight enough to write in this blog... what in the world. I've lost my mind somewhere between the phone ringing, my phone vibrating, computer problems, staff meetings, e-mails, and people stopping in!

Hopefully Tomorrow will be better!

So yeah, I rearranged my room, relaxed most of the weekend, and been in a working rage today! :-)

Great times. haha

I'm sure all of you can relate to days like these though.

Have a good night!

A windy, chilly, cooky way to end the week!

Well, IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!

My alarm went off this morning and I had to do the unthinkable... push the snooze button! haha I was sooo tired, I think it was the result of a couple of things. One-- IT'S FRIDAY! Two--it was dark and dreary out! 3--I just love to sleep. Fall is in the air. Some people laugh at me when I say the air is "crisp" during a northern Fall.. but, I promise it is! Come see for yourself. It's that clean, clear, fresh air! I LOVE it. It's the kind of weather that's perfect for a good highschool football game or a bon fire, a "hoodie"(sweatshirt), some comfy jeans, and a cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider! Ah, the feeling of being carefree and happy! :-) It's so refreshing! Makes me think about the secret place with Jesus, actually! The place where we become "refreshed"... no matter what has happen, what is happening, or what will happen... the moments we are in His presence is where he breathe's into us and speaks into us so that we are clear in the way we should go. His love is so FRESH, clean, and clear. Crazy how a simple thing like the air of fall makes me think about the love of God... but it does. Sometimes He reminds me of his love for me in the simplest, craziest, silliest things! He has humor... and I love Him!

I don't know exactly what I am doing this weekend. We were supposed to have a church bonfire but the weather forcast isn't so great, we had to cancel it. I plan on just relaxing. THANK GOD!

Well, that's all for now--- I hope you all have an amazing weekend!

P.S. I can't wait to go pumkin picking in October!! (I know, I sound like a lil kid don't i?? (-: )


Love.

My first Blog on here..

Well, my bestest friend Amber has talked me into being a "blogger"... although I am still unsure why it's called blogging... what a weird word. It might take me awhile to get this thing up and running and looking good... but isn't that the story of life? hah..